LATEST THINKING

Think beyond ones and zeros

Quantum computing greatly enhances how information is stored and processed, allowing it to perform more efficient algorithms than traditional computing.

It’s been a research subject for more than three decades; however, scientists and engineers had difficulty building an actual quantum computer.

That’s changed. In the last five years, we’ve seen hardware and software capability move out of university labs and into real-world business products. Still, the technology needs to mature to become fully enterprise-ready and deliver meaningful, cost-effective results.

Accenture Labs examines the science behind quantum computing, potential use cases by industry and recommended steps for business leaders who want to be best positioned when this emerging technology reaches maturity.

QUANTUM 101

The innovation behind quantum computing lies in the way it takes advantage of certain phenomena that occur at the subatomic level. Knowing fundamental differences between classical and quantum computing helps understand how it works:

Information representation—In classical computing, a computer runs on bits that have a value of either 0 or 1. Quantum bits, or “qubits,” are similar, in that for practical purposes, we read them as a value of 0 or 1, but they can also hold much more complex information, or even be negative values.

Information processing—In a classical computer, bits are processed sequentially, which is similar to the way a person would solve a math problem by hand. In quantum computation, qubits are entangled together, so changing the state of one qubit influences the state of others regardless of their physical distance. This allows quantum computers to intrinsically converge on the right answer to a problem very quickly.

Interpreting results—In classical computing, only specifically defined results are available, inherently limited by algorithm design. Quantum answers are probabilistic, meaning that because of superposition and entanglement, multiple possible answers are considered in a given computation. Problems are run multiple times, giving a sample of possible answers and increasing confidence in the best answer provided.

Quantum Computing will enable the “fifth generation” of computers

present
and beyond
Quantum computers
FIFTH GENERATION

1971-present
Microprocessors
FOURTH GENERATION

1964-1971
Integrated circuits
THIRD GENERATION

1956-1964
Transistors
SECOND GENERATION

1940-1956
Vacuum tubes
FIRST GENERATION

present
and beyond
Quantum computers
FIFTH GENERATION

1971-present
Microprocessors
FOURTH GENERATION

1964-1971
Integrated circuits
THIRD GENERATION

1956-1964
Transistors
SECOND GENERATION

1940-1956
Vacuum tubes
FIRST GENERATION

Research partnerships between large companies and top universities are forming, most notably Google and the University of California-Santa Barbara; Lockheed Martin and University of Maryland; and Intel and Delft University of Technology.

Governments around the world are forging ahead with quantum computing initiatives as well:

Australia’s government in early 2016 announced an AUD$25 million investment over five years toward the development of a silicon quantum integrated circuit.

The United States, based on a 2016 report from the National Science and Technology Council, “recommends significant and sustained investment in quantum information science by engaging with academia, industry and government.”

The European Commission plans to launch a $1.13 billion project in 2018 to support a range of quantum technologies.

OPPORTUNITIES
FOR QUANTUM COMPUTING

Quantum computing is best suited to solving problems using three types of algorithms: optimization, sampling and machine learning.

In collaboration with 1QBit, Accenture Labs has mapped 150+ use cases for quantum computing with a focus on finding those that are the most promising in various industries.

The goal was to identify and validate the problems where a quantum algorithm will outpace existing computing methods and improve results.

Accenture Labs has mapped 150+ use cases for quantum computing with a focus on finding those that are the most promising in various industries.

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